RDA wants more participation from local contractors

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Recovery & Development Agency (RDA) Anthony McMaster has expressed disappointment in the low level of interest shown by local contractors in a recent tender.

While speaking at the contract signing ceremony for the rehabilitation works to the Long Bush water system, McMaster said only two contractors had submitted bids for the project.

Of the two bids submitted, Autland Heavy Equipment Company Limited was the successful candidate being awarded an estimated $2.2 million contract.

“We are not quite happy at the RDA with the level of commitment from the BVI contractors for the participation that they have put forward because, as you have heard in the case of the reservoir rehabilitation, we only had two bids submitted. That is not good enough,” McMaster stated.

He added: “We cannot build a BVI if we are not getting participation. Participation is necessary because in a few days, weeks, months, years, neither the Premier nor I will be here in these seats, and we are hoping that we will have young BVIslanders who have taken up the baton to carry the country forward, and therefore it can only happen through participation.”

One-on-one sessions to educate interested contractors

To rectify this current deficiency, McMaster said the RDA is willing to sit with interested contractors or tenderers individually, as the institution is focused on building capacity in the BVI through education.

These persons will have the opportunity to have one-on-one sessions with the RDA’s procurement team who will ensure that all participants understand the entire tender process.

He said: “We will actually take you through tenders that were successful and those that did not succeed so that you can see the things that are beneficial to you and those things that may not necessarily win you a bid.”

He continued, “I think any contractor who has an interest in the development of the territory and the participation, this is an opportunity for you and I would say do not let it pass.”

Programmes being designed

Meanwhile, the acting CEO furthersaid the RDA in collaboration with the Governor’s Group, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education is working to design several programmes.

These programmes are expected to allow for potential local specialists to develop a career that will allow them to actually become participants in future tenders.